4 vie for Covington BOE

COVINGTON — There are four candidates vying for a position on the Covington Board of Education in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, with two seats available.

Those candidates are Katie Hamilton, an engineering manager and project leader, James Ashby (Jim) Rench, solution engineer with NCR Corporation, and Mark Miller and Kerry A. Murphy, neither of whom provided background information for this article. Glen Rudolph Hollopeter has withdrawn from the race.

Although she does not have any previous political experience, Hamilton is an active member of the Covington community by volunteering her time at the school as the secretary of Covington Youth Sports Association and is an active Bucc Booster member.

“My children are attending all levels within the school system, so I know the students and parents well,” Hamilton said. “I also have relatives who have taught for years in various schools, so I can relate to the various struggles our system, staff, and students face.”

Rench’s qualifications include strong communications skills, being very detail-oriented, and working well within a team. He is seeking office to make a positive impact on the students of Covington Schools.

“My goals would be to seamlessly integrate with the existing board members, provide thoughtful input in response to any issue set before the board, and strive to ensure my focus is always the best interest of the students of the Covington School District,” Rench said.

Hamilton is seeking office because she thinks “a new voice and opinion needs brought to our school board.”

If elected, Hamilton wants to improve communications and relationships with the new school district families and staff while successfully transitioning into the new PK-8 building. Improved community relations are the greatest need to be addressed to the board, Hamilton said.

Rench expressed what he believes to be the most important issues.

“I think the most important issues at hand will be a smooth transition to the new school building, ensuring its successful operation, moving forward, and continuing to strengthen and enhance academics within Covington Schools.”

Hamilton has a daughter, 14 years old, a son, 12 years old, and a 6-year-old son. Rench is married to his wife Shanda and has three sons, Ashby, Avery, and Ayden.